Nigeria came into existence through the fiat of the British colonial masters in 1914, in which multi ethnic nationalities were forcefully merged together by force of arms. It is a nation built on tribal foundation. You cant love a tree and hate its root. And there is no skyscraper without a formidable foundation. Her multiple ethnicity which should have added to her strength is gradually becoming a curse. But when did tribalism become a stigma?
Nigeria is a theater where we are all actors. But the British that created this artificial nation were not totally oblivious that so many people do not see us as a factor. The earlier we acknowledge this fact, the better.
We would have to recognize that Nigeria is an association of many 'nations' with different interpretation of what Nigeria is to them. Lord Lugard put cat and dog in same cage and expected nothing but peaceful co-existence. Cat wants rat while dog would go for bones any day. The North loves power but the Southerners want resources control. Sometimes we try to mend what God has already torn apart and put question mark where God has said 'period'.
If you think representing your ethnic group is no more fashionable. What is the difference between a nationalist and a tribalist? As far as I am concern the difference is the territorial size and politics. There would always be rivalry among nations. Two warring nation. Like two competing tribes.
In Africa we have Anglophone, Francophone and Islamic nations. They all have their different agenda as a nation but a common African goal. Same applies to every Nigerian tribe or ethnic group. Even between brothers and sisters their is rivalry .
However, if we ever survive as a nation to our promise land. It would be based on the collective inputs of everybody. It would be how well our politics were able to respond and applied to our needs regionally and nationally. A British in 2013 would not mind chanting "long live the Queen" but this can only be achieved in Nigeria if we respect our fellow Nigerians and regard their tradition and religion, be it an Igbo, Hausa or Yoruba man. If this cannot be achieved as we see today there shall be problem.
If it's only through splitting that Nigerians would experience genuine peace, so be it.
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